Method and apparatus for pollution control of confined spaces

ABSTRACT

A method of improve the removal of particulate matter, heavy metals, neutralizing acid, and kill microorganism pollutants, known to be in contaminated air volumes of occupied confined spaces, when exposed in close contact under pressure to a mixture of alkaline sorbent materials, having a known synergism between said pollutants using a self propelled fluidized bed reactor and packed bed filter apparatus system to optimize the contact collection efficiency of submicron particles and organic compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS

This invention is This invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/001,811 and this application and alsobased on prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,451,091 B1, entitled “Apparatus andMethod for Emissions Control Through Continuous Filtration System” andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/867,943 filed on Jun. 14, 2004entitled “Method And Apparatus For Combined Cycle Fluid Propulsion”.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This instant invention relates to a method and apparatus useful in theremoval of harmful pollutants known to be found in occupied confinedspaces to the improvement of indoor air quality. A 1989 EPA Report toCongress concluded that improved indoor air quality can result in higherproductivity and fewer lost workdays. EPA estimates that poor indoor airmay cost the nation tens of billions of dollars each year in lostproductivity and medical care. The National Energy Management Institute(NEMI) reports that approximately 80% of commercial buildings do notcomply with engineering standards to provide the best indoor air qualityfor building occupants. The main pollutants found in indoor confinedspaces are: Volatile Organic Compounds: (VOCs), are commonly aceticacid, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, toluene, and formaldehydeassociated with solvents from, floor and wall construction materials.Ozone: O3 is as a powerful oxidant found in nature and generated byprinting process, this pollutant is also known to be toxic to humans insmall concentrations above 10 ppm. Ozone is a health hazard that cancause eye and mucous membrane irritation and chronic respiratorydisease. Carbon Monoxide: (CO) OSHA regulates levels of CO forindustrial settings, but a level lower than 2 ppm is typical in anoffice setting. Airborne Bacteria, Mold and Fungi: No regulations havebeen established for biological contaminants, however a range ofacceptable levels has been recommended to be less than 700 spores in acubic meter of air. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a knowncarcinogen which can exist in the indoor air. Radon Gas, is a knowncarcinogen which causes thousands of cancers cases per year.

Current indoor environment pollution control technology is unable toprovide one system to filter particulate matter, absorb VOC's,neutralize acids, capture heavy metals, and provide a 99.99% kill ratesof all known microorganisms. In addition to insufficient controlcapability the present technologies in the retail and commercial markethave a inherent health risk over seen by current studies which involvesuser handing of dirty filters during replacement, as filters are removedexposure is many times higher than normal breathing air in acontaminated room. Other aspects of prior art technology have been knownto be harmful and have been reported in EPA studies and many othergovernment agencies. In the case of ozone, which is finding an everincreasing usage in the retail markets the hazardous to human health ofthe users as outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency,Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Food and DrugAdministration, and the National Institute of Occupational Safety andHealth which have set very low limits on ozone exposure all of which arebelow 10 parts per million. These ozone generators emit trillions oftimes more than the safe limit into confined spaces on a daily basis.

Other more recent considerations exist for improved treatment ofconfined space air quality associated with indoor air, highlighted bySeptember 11^(th) and mailing of anthrax spores continual present athreat to the U.S. Homeland Defense which is seeking highly effectivemeans to reduce the threat of biological and chemical weapons of massdestruction such as anthrax and nerve gases to improve U.S. NationalSecurity.

In accordance with the present invention, however, it has been foundthat the combination of certain air treatment processes is unnecessaryto provide a solution to the removal of all indoor pollution, andresolving a National health hazard exists in a simplified versioncurrently used in flue gas scrubbing. This method known to be effectivein the collection of all of the said pollutants requiring treatment. Thecurrent invention absorbs VOC's, neutralizes acids, traps heavy metals,absorbs nitrogen oxide, collects PM down to 0.01 microns in diameter.

In addition to the chemical, acid, and heavy metal recovery this methodas applied in the present invention also has is known to killmicroorganism including viruses, bacteria, fungi, mold, and spores oncontact. The present invention as an anti-acid offers the opportunity toabsorb and neutralize nerve gases, and kill anthrax spores.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The most efficient methods known in air pollution control are found inapplication controlling flue gas emissions from utility and industrialprocesses, known as flue gas scrubbers (FGS). This technology has beenrepeatedly tested over the past 10 years as required by StateGovernments by the Clean Air Act. The method applies a known process ofpollutant contact with an alkaline sorbent know be a highly reliable andefficient processes in the control of emissions. The present inventionapplies the method sorbent treatment method in a unique way by fluidizedbed suspension using a mixture of well known alkaline sorbent materialshaving a porous and reactive surface. As contact proximity is known tobeing a key factor in effectiveness in absorbing chemical pollutants andcurrent technology applies this method in FGS treatment to fluid streamby sorbent injection, combustion injection, and alkaline spray treatmentall unpractical in indoor environments. The current invention uses fluidflow process known as fluidization to maximize alkaline contact in airstream treatment of confined space. In addition it is also known in fluegas streams that some agents used in this process react under heat toincrease contact area and improve absorption by decomposition developinga greater surface area. Some sorbents are used because of their porousnature when treated by heat prior to injection and are found effectivetreatment process such as active carbon, which is treated by heat in itsmanufacturing process. Some alkaline agents are injected into a hot gasstream and decomposition occurs inset sue as in the decomposition oflime stone into calcium carbonate its increasing absorbance ability yetunstable at lower temperatures. Sodium bicarbonate is also used ininjection into hot gas streams and decomposes into sodium carbonatedeveloping contact surface areas similar to activated carbon increasingabsorbency. The present invention applies a pretreatment of sodium bicarbonate prior to application to improve its application as it appliesin the present invention. It is also known that in the art thatdifferential pressure is another key factor in filtration efficiency inthe removal of small particles. In FGS treatment it has been found thata coating of sorbent material placed upon tightly meshed screen is moreeffective as the coating increase improving efficiency. As Fluidized bedreaction and filter systems have been used in prior art applicationswith some effectiveness the opposing operation of these process haslimited application of the treatment of contaminated fluid streams withsignificant particulate grain loading. It is known in the art that theapplication of fluidize bed only occurs with particles diameters greaterthan 150 microns, and that packed beds are most efficient when particlesbelow 60 microns are used. As the segregations of the two particle sizesis necessary to each process for maximum efficiency. The presentinvention applies this knowledge by the incorporation of separationbetween the two process to maintain fluidized bed integrity andprecoating of a filter substrate with small diameter particles maximizeefficiency of both processes. As these both process are fluid streampressure and velocity dependent to be effectively the utilization in thepresent invention of a boundary layer turbine fluid propulsion improvesthe art by presenting a novel approach in a modified version to providesimplified construction and application to generate the pressure andvelocity necessary create a high pressure differential across saidfilter and velocities capable of fluidization of a solid bed requiredfor a react surface area to occur sufficiently to improve efficiency.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with this instant invention, that utilizes applicationsand processes known in the art of air pollution control to removepollutant constituents from a flowing gas stream under pressure throughthe application of a plurality of alkaline sorbents configured in amanner to absorb pollutants in said gas steam by contact with a fullcross sectional area of said sorbent arranged upon a surface of a poroussubstrate having a plurality of inlets and outlets to allow to said gasto flow through said porous substrate and into the said alkaline sorbentbed comprised of a granular particles contained within a confined space.It is also known in the art that; a directional change to a flowing gascontaining entrained particles will cause a large number of theparticles to divert from the said flowing gas stream and respond togravitational force collecting at the lowest point possible. It is alsoknown in the art that contaminated gas flow under pressure will compressa densely packed layer of small diameter alkaline powder (<65 micron)applied to the surface of a porous substrate attached across the inletand of a flowing gas stream, having a plurality of outlets to provide anefficient means to capture extremely small diameter particles,neutralize acids, absorb volatile organic compounds, capture heavymetals, and particle matter, and kill microorganisms retaining thesepollutants within the said packed bed and allowing un-contaminated gasto pass through said bed. The present invention applies these knownprocess in a novel way enclosure of these three processes principleswithin a first confined space (cartridge) housing having inlets and anoutlets, set within a second outer housing containing a propulsionhaving a prime mover and speed controls, and enabled by a set ofpressure switches set between the propulsion system and the fluidizedbed plenum to register pressure set points in a way to warn low pressureand high pressure operation stalling operation in the event of set pointobtainment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a simplified version of theembodiment of Pollution Control process and apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cutaway cross sections of an embodiment of theinvention utilizing a cartridge filter application the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section of a cartridge filter systems showing(FIG. 3 a), is a vertical cross section of a cartridge with a fluidizedbed reactor, a diverter cone, and a packed bed filter system. FIG. 3 b.is a vertical cross section of a simplified cartridge have a fluidizedbed, and a packed filter.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sections of one embodiment of the boundarylayer propulsion system utilized in the invention.

FIG. 5 is boundary layer disk details, showing, plate design detailsshowing FIG. 5 a transverse section of disk, and FIG. 5 b, verticalcross section of plate. 5 c. is a cross section of

FIG. 6. is transverse vertical view of flow conduit coupling attachment,FIG. 6 a. is a vertical cross section of coupling attachment withexterior interior placement. FIG. 6 c. a vertical cross section ofanother embodiment of said coupling attachment having interiorplacement.

FIG. 7. FIG. 7 a. is transverse vertical view of flow conduit couplingattachment showing spoked attachments, FIG. 7 a. C-C is a horizontalcross section of a spoke used in hub attachment to outer couplingattachment. FIG. 7 c. is a vertical cross section of couplingattachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings which assist in illustrating the pertinentfeatures thereof. The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, is a basic flowdiagram of this instant air filtration invention, supplemented by U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/867,943 filed on Jun. 14, 2004 entitled“Method And Apparatus For Combined Cycle Fluid Propulsion”, dealing withthe boundary layer propulsion apparatus method of operation,supplemented in present art to stated the mode of operation as appliedto the present air filtration apparatus currently under presentation inthis invention.

In the current invention an occupied confined space (not shown) havingcontaminated air and represented in the current embodiment by confinedspace inlet air containing volatile organic compounds, heavy metals,acids, particulate matter, and living microorganisms, in said supply (2a, 2 b, 2 c), is induced into an enclosure (50), having an inner andouter surface having walls (50 b), having a second outlet opening (51d), and a first main inlet opening (51 a), and a first secondary inletopening (51 b), and a third secondary inlet opening (51 b), also havingan upper wall (50 a) with an inner and outer surface and independentside wall capable of sealing against side walls (50 b), for seal anddetachment to said housing (50), and a lower wall (50 c), having aninner and outer surface with a first main inlet opening (51 a), andbeing resisted from the end of said housing (50 b), creating an inletplenum with a plurality of supports. Mounted within the interior of saidhousing (50), resides a dividing wall (50 d), having an inner and outersurfaces and a plurality of openings (51 c, 51 d), said wall (50 d)providing channeled air flow from and to the occupied confined space andmounting for a Boundary Layer Turbine apparatus contained within a firstconfined space (10), containing a boundary layer propulsion apparatus(1), providing inducing flow through inlet suction provide through themechanical rotation of flow conduit (6), by mechanical means provide byprime mover (8), have a first opening (7 d), in communication with afirst end of first flexible conduit (4 a), and a second end incommunication with said outlet (51 a), and also having a second opening(7 b), in communication with a first end of second flexible conduit (4a), and a second end in communication with said outlet (51 b), and athird outlet opening in the base of said prime mover housing (8), saidprime mover also having upper a plurality of shock resistant attachmentsrepresented by (9 a, 9 b) having a first end attached to the lowersurface of said dividing wall (50 d), and a second end fixed to theupper end of prime mover housing (8). Prime mover (8), also having afirst roller bearing (8 a) enclosing the circumference of primer moverarmature (9 b) having a first end and a second end attached to a secondroller bearing (8 b), containing the lateral movement of said primermover armature (9 b) and also attached to flow conduit coupling (3 b),having a plurality of openings (3 a,3 b), and in communication withboundary layer turbine flow conduit (6) having a first end, and a secondend in communication with a plurality of manifold ports embodied in thisfigure by (3 c), spaced between plurality of boundary layer disks (5),known to impart motion in a free flowing fluid, when placed into motionthrough the applied rotation from prime mover (6) fixed to the uppersurface of the Turbine Rotor Enclosure wall (4), having a first andsecond surface, and a plurality of openings in the outer circumferencebetween said enclosure wall (4) and housing wall (51 b), and a centralopening set about the circumference of the lower end of prim mover (8)to communicate flow from the interior of prim mover (8) and the secondend of turbine rotor flow conduit (6) provided for inlet air flow acrossprime mover for temperature reduction. As prime mover (8) appliesrotation air flow is induced through said prim mover (8) and throughmain inlet (51 a) into the flow conduit (6), passing through saidplurality of manifold openings (3 c), into spaces between boundary layerdisks (5) at pressure and velocity, past prime mover (8), through saidplurality of openings (4 c), in said turbine wall (4), into a pluralityof openings (51 c, 51 d), in into the plenum (51 c) in the lower sectionof Fluidized Bed Reactor (20), designed to distribute the said untreatedstage one (2 a,2 b,2 c) contaminated inlet air supply obtained for andoccupied confined space is evenly forced in a distributed mannerthroughout the plenum section (21), and distributed through a substrate(23), with an inner and outer surface, and retained by holder (24),affixed to the interior wall (50 b), through pressurized for of 4 inchesof water column lifts a bed from a compacted state and expanded fluidstate known in the art as fluidized bed, to a freeboard distance abovethe compacted state height illustrated by dashed line (27), that exposesthe said stage one air contaminated air supply (22), to an alkalinesorbent bed mixture comprised of sodium bicarbonate (25), sodiumcarbonate (26), and activated carbon (27), as fluidized beds are knownto provide a residents duration and a full contact surface as forcedflow is diffused through the bed, so that the area reaction is maximizedfor chemical bonding to take place between chemical species, acidic,metal, and microorganism contaminated in said stage one air supply (22),and said sorbent bed (20), prior to entering a particle separator (30)section. Particle Separator having a sloping surface diverter plate(32), with a plurality of openings (37), at the outer edge for thegravity discharge of dislodged particles (38), and a central opening(34), and a plurality of openings (33), designed to channel air flow(22), against the center of the outer surface of confined space (46),separating entrained sorbent particles (36), through velocity reductioncaused by impact on said surface (46), and plurality of 90 degreedirectional changes illustrated by (35),(36), and (39) or 180 degrees,as it is known in the art that flow directional changes and surfaceimpacts reduced particle velocity of entrained particles and is aneffective separation method, there by being allowing gravity toreturning said particles (37),(38), illustrated by dashed path arrow(31), back to said fluidized bed (20), for reapplication in thefluidized bed reactor. As stage two air flow (41), enters the surface ofpacked bed filter (42), comprised of small diameter particles less than80 micron of alkaline sorbent (sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate),(42 a), (42 b), and non alkaline activated carbon (42 c) known to assistin the removal of elemental mercury, in communication with and supportedby porous substrate (44), having an inner and outer surface supported atthe outer edge by retaining support (43), forming the upper permeablewall of confined space walls (40), in communication with outlet opening(51 d), through conduit (46), having a first end fixed to wall (45) anda second end fixed to said opening (51 d).

FIG. 2 is a vertical cutaway cross sections of an preferred embodimentof this invention utilizing a first confined space cartridge(63),containing the sorbent treatment filtration system, held within a secondconfined enclosure (69), provide with a propulsion system (61), inducingsaid flow into a first open end cartridge (63), plenum of having lowercompressible seal (62 b), compressed against a second enclosure seal (62a), fixed to the inner wall of said enclosure (69), with said cartridgesystem (63), containing a fluidized bed (63 a), a diverter plate (68 a),having a first plurality of openings (68 b), for the flow of air, andsecond plurality of openings for the flow of disengaged particles (64),and a third confined space (65), supporting a packed bed filter (67) byway of a porous substrate (67 a), affixed to said pack bed confinedspace (65), and in communication with the exterior of said enclosure(69), through a first and second flexible conduit connectors (67 b),accessible through a removable cover (66).

FIG. 3 A vertical cross section of two embodiments of cartridge filtersystems showing a preferred design (FIG. 3 a), having a first confinedspace with vertical walls (72 a) with an inner and outer surface, ahorizontal top (72 b), with an inner and outer surface, fixed to a firstend of said walls (72 a), and a horizontal surface fixed to a first endof said walls (72 a), and having a second end fixed with compressibleseals (70 a), fixed to a flared end (70 b), of extended walls (72 a),said first confined space having a first porous substrate (71 a), havinga inner and outer surface, affixed to said walls (72 a), incommunication with the second open end of said cartridge, supportingfluidized bed (71 b), comprised of said sorbents described in figureone, and having an expandable freeboard space limited by dotted line(73), and having a diverter plate (74 a), with a first plurality ofopenings (74 b), for the passage of air, and also having a secondplurality of openings (74 c), for the passage disengaged particles, setbelow a second confined space having walls (75 a), to support a secondporous substrate support (76 b), having an inner and outer surface,affixed to said walls (75 a), and supporting and packed bed filter (76a) as described in figure one, in communication with first confinedspace and the interior of said second confined space, having ahorizontal surface arranged in the lower segment of said confined space,with a first and second outlet (77 a, 77 b) for the passage of air aspreviously described in figure one. FIG. (3 b), is a simplifiedembodiment of FIG. (3 a), having identical said walls, seals, poroussubstrate supports, and provide the elimination of diverter plate, (74a) and confined said second packed bed filter space chamber, and saidplurality of outlets, replaced by a compressed packed bed held between afirst porous substrate support (82), and a second substrate support(83), with a packed bed region containing identical sorbent material aspreviously described in figure one, and held between a said firstsubstrate support (82), and said second substrate support (83), eachaffixed to chamber side walls allowing air to flow our an open end ofsaid first confined space allowing greater cross sectional are for flow.

FIG. 4. is a vertical cross section of boundary layer turbine asdescribed in figure one, having of a said confined space air flow (90),into said opening (92), protected by a screen (117), removable by slideattachment (115), set in said outer enclosure vertical walls (91), tocapture large dust particles, fixed into a horizontal lower housing wall(93), having a first and second surface, with a central opening (92),for air inlet to flow conduit (113), in support of turbine housing(114), having slanted vertical walls, and an first upper horizontal wall(96 a), with central opening (109), and a plurality of openings (110),arranged about the outer circumference of said wall (96 a) with a secondlower horizontal wall (96 b) having and inner and outer surface with acentral opening (96 c), as the main inlet port, with a plurality offlexible supports (94), vertically supporting said turbine, and havingflexible seals (112), affixed to said sloping vertical walls (114), andin compression with said outer vertical walls of enclosure (91), andalso supported by a central flexible support (106), said internalhorizontal wall (104), and prime the upper section (103). Prime mover(99), in communication with the exterior of said confined space (91)through a first flexible conduit (100), and a second flexible conduit108), having a first screen (97), and a second screen (107) to capturelarge dust particles, of prime mover (99). This embodiment include acentral channel (98), having vertical walls with a first end attached tohorizontal wall (110), and a second end attached to horizontal wall (104by way of flexible connector seal, (98 a).

FIG. 6 Boundary layer disk details, FIG. 5 a is a transverse section ofdisk (120) having an outer circumference and a inner opening forattachment, with FIG. 5 b. showing a horizontal cross section A-Athrough said disk (120), showing a knife edge (121) to the edge of theouter perimeter of the disk to promote stabilization during diskrotation.

FIG. 6. a first embodiment of the flow conduit coupling attachment;whereas; FIG. 6 a. is transverse vertical view of said coupling ofhaving plurality of holes (124), arranged about the surface, and anouter retainer support for attachment of the flow conduit (125),supporting said disks (122). FIG. (6 b) a cross section B-B, of FIG. (6a), indicating a extend profile of the coupling prime mover armatureattachment (126). FIG. 6 c) is another embodiment section B-B flowcoupling showing a resist profile, of the flow said flow couplingattachment.

FIG. 7. Another simplified embodiment of the flow conduit; FIG. (7 a) atransverse cross section of said flow coupling having a outercylindrical for attachment (130), having a central hub (132), forattachment of coupling to prime mover armature shaft;

FIG. 7. the preferred embodiment of the flow conduit coupling,simplified to allow the greatest air flow with the low turbulencecomprised of; FIG. (7 a) having an outer cylindrical attachment (130)with a first open end attached to a circular plate having a wider outerdiameter than the said cylindrical attachment (130), with a centralopening attached to cylindrical attachment (130), and fixed to a centralhub (132), by a plurality of spokes (131), FIG. (7 b) cross section(C-C), having an air foil shape known to improve air flow and reduceresistance from air impact when moving through a fluid. FIG. (7 c)arranged in the interior of the said cylinder (130).

1. A method for removing gas pollutants from a gas comprising thefollowing steps: introducing a gas at a velocity and pressure into acartridge chamber comprised of at least one first fluidized bed reactorand at least one second packed bed filter having at least one firstinlet and at least one second outlet wherein, said first said reactorand second said filter comprised of porous membrane substrates retainingabsorbent media, and having a chambered boundary layer propulsionapparatus to propel said gas through, said cartridge.
 2. The process ofclaim 1 wherein, said cartridge contains a, said first fluidized bedreactor and a, said second packed bed filter comprising the use ofthermally decomposed bicarbonate absorbent to chemically andmechanically alter absorbent media increasing pH and surface porositythrough thermal decomposition providing a highly reactive alkaloidcarbonate known to absorb acids.
 3. A method of claim 1 wherein, saidcartridge contains a, said first fluidized bed reactor a, said secondpacked bed filter using a plurality of alkaline bicarbonate and nonalkaline absorbent particles chemically reactive, and mechanicallyabsorbent(s) materials comprising; a thick reactive fluidized bed withparticle diameters ranging from at least 65 microns to greater than 150microns known to support fluidization flow and a highly compressedpacked bed filter having a portion of, said particles comprised ofthermally decomposed bicarbonates, and untreated non alkaloid componentparticles.
 4. A method of claim 1 wherein a pre-decomposed alkaloidabsorbent comprising of pre-treated alkaloid bicarbonates, wherein thebicarbonate are converted into a carbonates, respectively, by subjectingthe absorbent to temperatures known above 98° C.
 5. The process of claim4 wherein the bicarbonate has been subjected to temperatures above 98°C. until decomposition occurs causing sublimation of a portion of theparticles surfaces creating open pore structures.
 6. The process ofclaim 1 whereby the said gas is introduced by a boundary layerpropulsion system comprising; a plurality of parallel solid discsradiating from a central situated rotatable tubular axle, having aplurality of openings between, said discs and a first open inlet end anda second drive end with a centrally situated method of attachment to aprime mover to impart rotation generating flow of said gas from a firstlocation to a second location.
 7. A method of claim 1 The process ofclaim 16 wherein the reactor further includes granulated activatedcarbon.
 8. The process of claim 1 further comprising passing said gasthrough a second packed bed reactor having an inlet and an outlet, saidsecond reactor retained by a porous membrane wherein said second packedbed filter [reactor] comprises a absorbent media.
 9. A method of claim 1where a fluid propulsion Apparatus comprising a plurality of parallelspaced solid discs radiating from a central situated rotatable tubularaxial, having a plurality of manifold openings in communication withsaid spaces between said discs, wherein rotation of the axle createsfluid flow into at least one inlet end when imparting rotation from acentrally situated attachment connected to a prime mover per prior isused in the present invention to provide flow and pressures sufficientto generated flow in a fluid (gas) sufficient enough to obtain afluidized flow and overcome a packed bed filter supported on a filtermedia substrate while generating low noise into the environment.